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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institu.    for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  nicroreproductions  historiques 


m 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The( 
to  th 


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□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


r^    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  peiliculie 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


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The 
poss 
of  th 
fllmi 


Origi 
begi 
the  I 
sion, 
othe 
first 
sion, 
or  III 


D 


The 
shall 
TINl 
whi( 

Map 
diffc 
entii 
begi 
righ^ 
requ 
metl 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
■flips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filnii  ju  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  KX  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


L 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

IMetropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadia>i  History  Department 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
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L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  k  la 
g6n6rosit4  de: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadian  History  Department 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  filrnd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  ies  conditiont  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  Impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED ").  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  origineux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
origineux  sont  filmis  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'impressr  jn  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  pege  qui  comporte  une  telle 
emprelnte. 

Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparaltra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^  signlfie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signlfie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvants 
illustrent  la  mdtiiode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

I 


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/.«, 


X 


FAf^T  SEBMON9 


DEUVERED 

IN  THE 


NORTH  PRESBYTERIAN  MEETING  H0U8E, 


IN 


HABTFORD, 


JULY  J23,  1812, 


BY  NATHAN  STRONG, 

PASTOR  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


HAKTFORD: 

PRINTED  BY  PETER  B.  GLEASON  &  CO. 


1812. 


TiriiiTTrrrti-ifflitSi.ii^rtaiiife^ 


Kn 


Ci^^."^ 


f  cii  ;  2 1938 


ii^i--iiri»'ii^iiii«iii 


■P 


A  FAST  SERMON. 


REVELATIONS  xviii.  4. 

And  I  heard  another  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  Ccmc  out  of  htr 
my  people,  that  ye  he  not  partakers  of  her  sins,  and  that  ye 
receive  not  of  her  plagues. 

A^LTHOUGII  we  are  assembled  within  these  walls, 
by  the  call  of  our  civil  fathers,  whom  we  ought  to 
respect,  I  do  not  address  you  in  the  character  of 
a  politician.  Let  that  be  done  by  those  whom  God, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  our  own  personal  suf^ 
frages,  hath  appointed  to  the  duty.  The  oath  of  the 
Lord  is  upon  them  ;  their  interests  are  inseparably 
mingled  with  our  own  ;  they  are  the  descendants  of 
those,  who  have  hitherto  guided  our  State  safely  ; 
neither,  can  it  be  that  they  want  firmness  of  mind  to 
go  before  us  in  the  darkest  times. 

I  address  you,  Brethren,  in  the  more  humble  cha- 
racter of  a  servant  of  the  people  of  the  Lord,  who 
should  obey  the  laws  of  Christ's  just  and  peaceful 
kingdom,  and  look  to  him  to  be  protected,  against 
such  violence  as  is  practised  by  the  kingdoms  of  the 
earth.  Leaving  the  politician  to  his  duty,  let  us,  as 
Christians,  now  look  to  the  spirit,  the  example,  the 


■FsaatK*. 


word  of  him  by  whose  blood  we  hope  to  be  saved  ; 
of  him  who  said,  Peace  1  leave  with  you.  my  peace 
I  give  unto  you  ;  of  him  who  said,  All  those  wh§ 
take  the  sword^  shall  perish  with  the  sword. 

In  the  covenant  of  redemption  between  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  a  kingdom  was  appointed.  It  is  the 
kingdom  of  love  and  righteousness.  It  began  in  the 
promise.  The  seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise  the 
head  of  that  serpent  by  whose  temptation  those  lusts 
of  men  were  introduced,  from  which  come  wars 
and  fightings,  with  every  evil  work.  Of  this 
mediatorial  kingdom  Christ  is  the  glorious  head ; 
hence,  he  is  called  the  King  whom  God  will  place 
on  his  holy  hill  of  Zion.  To  him  the  Father  hath 
promised,  *'  I  will  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine 
**  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
'*  for  thy  possession."  God  hath  said,  that  the 
rulers  of  the  earth  should  be  under  his  govern- 
ment, and  that  he  should  break  them  as  with  a  rod 
of  iron,  and  dash  them  in  pieces  as  a  potter's 
vessel. 


i 


It  is  the  King  in  Zion  we  are  this  day  to  worship, 
and  to  him  our  prayers  are  to  be  offered,  that  the 
wrath  of  man,  which  we  unexpectedly  find  risen  in 
our  own  country,  may  praise  him.  Nothing  will  be 
permitted  to  take  place  here  on  earth,  that  infinite 
wisdom  cannot  make  the  means  of  establishing:  a 
kingdom  of  eternal  righteousness  and  peace.  This 
King  hath  all  men  in  his  hand,  and  those  who  do  not 
receive  the  Spirit  of  his  kingdom,  he  will  break  xvith 


ifiwuniwhrrr  ^ 


pe  to  be  saved  ; 
h  you.  my  peace 
All  those  wh§ 
sword, 

veen  the  Father 
iited.  It  is  the 
It  began  in  the 
shall  bruise  the 
ition  those  lusts 
ich  come  wars 
ork.  Of  this 
glorious  head ; 
God  will  place 
the  Father  hath 
sathen  for  thine 
rts  of  the  earth 
said,  that  the 
er  his  govern- 
as  with  a  rod 
i  as  a  potter's 


lay  to  worship, 
ffered,  that  the 
lly  find  risen  in 
•^Jothing  will  be 
h,  that  infinite 
F  establishing  a 
\  peace.  This 
lOse  who  do  not 
will  break  xvith 


his  terrors,  and  finally  consume  by  the  brightness  of 
his  appearance  and  of  his  coming. 

Considering  that  the  kingdom  of  Christ  is  a  king- 
dom  of  peace,  and  that  he  hath  in  his  hand  all  men, 
all  who  thirst  for  blood,   and  all  nations  ;  on  first  at- 
tending to  this  subject,  it  may  appear  strange  that 
so  many  wars  and  fightings  are  permitted  by  him  to 
take  place  in  the  earth.     But  we  must  remember, 
that  although  all  men  are  in  his  hand,  they  arc  not 
all  his  people,  nor  do  they  all  believe  the  Christian 
religion,  or  live  in  the  exercise  of  that  spirit,  which 
was  found  in  him,  when  he  dwelt  here  to  be  our  ex- 
ample.    He  permits  the  violent  dispositions  of  men, 
that  there  may  be  a  complete  practical  exhibition  of 
the  spirit  of  love  and  the  spirit  of  enmity  ;  that  the 
nature  of  sin  may  appear,  and  its  bitter  fruits  be 
tasted,  so  that  there  may  be  the  highest  evidence  of 
this  truth.  He  that  hatetH'his  brother  hath  not  the  love 
of  God  in  him. 

To  Christians,  who  have  any  just  ideas  of  the  spi- 
rit of  the  gospel,  the  present  state  of  the  nations 
exhibits  a  very  instructive  spectacle.  It  excites  the 
interesting  inquiries.  What  will  be  the  end  of  these 
things  ?  What  is  the  God  of  all  the  earth  doing  ? 
What  ought  our  own  temper,  and  our  own  conduct 
to  be? 

I  presume  such  inquiries  have  passed  in  all  your 
minds,  my  Brethren  ;   and  although  you  are  not 


I    ■' 


8 

rulers  in  the  State,  you  have  a  conscience  to  satisfy 
and  your  own  private  duty  to  perform.  ' 

Christians  ought  to  notice  the  signs  of  the  times 
that  by  the  dealings  of  God's  providence,  they  may 
learn  the  truth  of  his  ,yord,  and  where  their  confi- 

of  m'nd     ''''  ^ '''""'''  """^  '"'"  ''''"^  ""''  *■"  P"«=^ 

That  there  is  a  new  state  of  things  among  the  na- 
t.ons,  m  many  respects,  such  as  never  existed  be- 
fore, cannot  be  doubted.  That  God  is  doing  some 
great  thing  in  the  earth,  is  very  plain.  That  he  is 
pumshmg  many  nations,  and  doing  it  by  their  own 
wickedness  and  spirit  of  violence,  is  as  plain.  In 
th,s  state  of  things,  what  ought  Christians  to  do,  and 
for  vvhat  ought  they  to  pray  ?  How  far  ought  they 
to  enter  mto  the  contentious  spirit  of  the  world  ? 

The  subject  is  too  copious  for  a  large  discussion, 
but  ,t  may  give  us  a  little  assistance  to  open  the 
volume  of  God's  word  and  attend, 

» 

First,  to  what  is  foretold  in  the  word  of  prophecy 
concerning  the  day  in  which  we  live. 

And  then,   SEcoijctv,    consider  the  direction 
Christ  gave  to  his  people  what  they  should  do. 

The  present  period  is  spoken  of  as  a  day  of  awful 
judgments  from  God  himself;  and  the  words  of  the 


I 


nscience  to  satisfy,    text  are  Christ's  direction  to  his  people  what  they 
'orm.  should  do. 


igns  of  the  times, 
/idence,  they  may 
vhere  their  confi- 
ifety  and  for  peace 

gs  among  the  na- 
lever  existed  be- 
od  is  doing  some 
ain.  That  he  is 
r  it  by  their  own 
is  as  plain.  In 
istians  to  do,  and 
w  far  ought  they 
f  the  world  ? 

arge  discussion, 
ice  to  open  the 


ord  of  prophecy 


'  the  direction 
hould  do. 

a  day  of  awful 
e  words  of  the 


i 


The  spirit  of  prophecy  in  the  mouth  of  Christ 
himself,  and  by  the  mouths  of  all  his  prophets  and 
apostles,  who  wrote  the  scriptu.es,  very  early  fore- 
told that  there  should  an  apostacy  arise  within 
the  church  itself.  That  this  apostacy  should  be 
headed  by  the  rulers  of  nations,  and  those  who 
professedly  taught  in  the  name  of  Christ ;  that  the 
apostacy  should  be  of  long  continuance,  and  over- 
spread the  whole  of  the  old  Roman  empire  with  the 
most  awful  spiritual  abominations,  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  civil  liberty.  That  it  should  be  an  empire 
and  a  church  of  cruelty,  and  of  blood  ;  make  war 
against  all  the  humble  saints  of  God  by  persecution ; 
usurp  from  men  all  their  civil  rights,  and  by  impiety 
and  infidelity  should  assume  all  the  glory,  the  rights 
and  prerogatives  of  God  himself. 

As  was  predicted,  this  apostacy  hath  taken  place 
in  the  old  Romish  church,  and  in  the  civil  states 
with  which  it  was  connected.  Its  measure  of  ini- 
quity is  now  full.  This  measure  of  iniquity  became 
full,  at  the  moment  when  Romish  superstition  and 
idolatry  passed  into  infidelity.  At  the  same  moment, 
the  most  bitter  of  the  vials  of  God's  judgment  began 
to  run.  Infidelity  was  the  consummation  of  this 
apostacy  ;  it  is,  also,  the  foredetcrmined  instrument 
of  executing  the  threatened  judgments  of  God,  on 
all  those  nations,  and  people,  and  countries,  where 

B 


MSMMAMRliW* 


10 


I 


1 


the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  have  been  corrupted  into 
idolatry,  where  the  name  of  Jesus  hath  been  denied, 
where  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  hath  been  spilt, 
where  a  holy  Providence  hath  been  forgotten,  and 
where  the  spirit  of  war  and  shedding  of  blood,  hath 
risen  superior  to  the  peaceful  spirit  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ. 

God  hath  said,  in  his  word  of  unerring  truth,  eon- 
cerning  this  present  time.  They  have  shed  blood,  and 
I  will  give  them  blood  to  drink.     All  those  nation 
who  put  forth  their  hands  and  invite  this  cup,  shall 
drink  their  fill  of  the  bloody  element. 

It  hath  been  a  question,  often  proposed  by  Ame- 
rican Christians,  How  far  this  country  is  to  share  in 
those  judgments,  by  which  the  old  world  is  now 
desolated  ? 


I 


'h 


That  we  are  sinners,  and  deserve  all  manner  of 
evil  at  the  hand  of  a  holy  God,  no  serious  man  can 
doubt.    But  the  question  hath  been.  How  far  must 
we  share  in  the  desolations  threatened  as  the  punish- 
ment  of  the  great  apostacy  ? 

The  time  is  now  come  in  which  experience  will 
determine  the  question.  War  with  its  desolations 
is  the  evil  threatened.  If  we  chuse  the  cup,  a  holy 
God  will  not  deny  it  to  us  ;  if  we  have  vice  enough 
within  ourselves  to  make  this  choice,  we  certainly 
deserve  it. 


\ 


ten  corrupted  into 
hath  been  denied, 
hath  been  spilt, 
en  forgotten,  and 
ing  of  blood,  hath 
it  of  the  kingdom 


)erring  truth,  eon- 
we  shed  bloody  and 
All  those  nation 
te  this  Gup,  shall 
ent. 

roposed  by  Ame- 
ntry  is  to  share  in 
)ld  world  w  now 


ve  all  manner  of 
I  serious  man  can 
n.  How  far  must 
led  as  the  punish- 


h  experience  will 
th  its  desolations 
iC  the  cup,  a  holy 
iiave  vice  enough 
ce,  we  certainly 


I 


n 

Many  of  the  learned  have  been  speculating  on 
the  prophecies,  and  predicting  how  ihey  will  be  ac 
complished ;  but  the  time  is  now  come,  in  which 
every  plain  Christian,  from  what  he  sees  and  feels, 
wiU  be  able  to  determine  the  extent  of  the  prophetic 
threatenings. 

My  Brethren,  we  have  many  years  since  fore- 
warned you  of  the  commencement  of  this  day  of 
God's  reckoning  with  that  part  of  the  world,  which 
hath  been  called  Christian.   We  have  prayed  togeth- 
er  that  we  and  our  posterity  might  be  preserved,  and 
covered  in  this  season.     The  infinite  wisdom  of  God 
hath  guided  us  strangely  for  a  number  of  years  ; 
and  he  hath  now  brought  it  to  our  own  determina- 
tion.—By  the  ordering  of  Providence,  we  are  placed 
at  a  distance  from  the  burning  Babylon,  in  a  land 
which  may  be  quiet,  if  our  own  folly  doth  not  pre- 
vent.     As  he  said  to  ancient  Israel,  he  is  by  his  Pro- 
vidence saying  to  us  :    "  See,  I  have  set  before  you 
this  day  life  and  good,  death  and  evil,  chuse  which 
ye  will  have."     If  we  chuse  death,  there  is  death 
enough  in  the  stores  of  his  vengeance,  yet  to  sweep 
us  away  with  the  other  ruined  nations.     If  we  chuse 
death,  under  such  signs  as  are  held  forth  in  his  Pro- 
vidence,   and   against   the   plainest   denunciations 
written  in  his  word ;  the  very  act  of  chusing  to  enter 
mto  the  field,  where  God  himself  is  dispensing  ven- 
geance,  will  be  such  a  defiance  of  the  Omnipotent 
and  holy  arm  of  the  King  in  Zion,  as  will  deserve 

Sill  the  pains  he  shall  inflict. 


12 


Moses  was  the  first  of  the  prophets.     His  prophe- 
cies were  not  confined  to  that  people  of  whom  he 
was  the  appointed  lawgiver.     In  him  the  spirit  of 
vision  looked  forward  to  the  end  of  the  world.     In 
the  32d  chapter  of  Deuteronomy,  there  is  a  denun- 
ciation of  God's  anger,  which  is  now  Hilling  on  those 
who  have  had  his  word,  but  have  not  believed  nor 
obeyed  it.     "  They  have  moved  me  (saith  the  Lord) 
to  jealousy,  with  that  which  is  not  God  ;  they  have 
provoked  me  to  anger  with  their  vanitic?  ;  and  I  will 
niov«    them  to  jealousy,  with  those  which  are  not  a 
people  ;  I  will  provoke  them  to  anger  with  a  foolish 
nation.     For  a  fire  is  kindled  in  mine  anger,  and 
shall  burn  to  the  lowest  hell,  and  shall  consume  the 
earth  with  her  increase,  and  set  on  fire  the  founda- 
tions of  the  mountains.     I  v;ill  heap  mischiefs  upon 
them  ;  I  will  spend  mine  arrows  upon  them.    They 
fihall  be  burnt  with  hunger,  and  devoured  with  burn- 
ing heat,  and  with  bitter  destruction  :    I  will  also 
send  the  teeth  of  beasts  [great  tyrannical  powers] 
upon  them,  with  the  poison  of  serpents  of  the  dust. 
The  sword  without,  and  terror  within,  shall  destroy 
both  the  young  man  and  the  virgin,  the  suckling 
also  with  the  man  of  grey  hairs."     These  words  are 
taken  from  thi  song  of  Moses,  which  was  not  pecu- 
lic^rly  designed  for  his  own  people,  but  looked  for- 
ward to  the  Christian  day,  praising  the  Lord  for  his 
blessings  on  the  church,  and  denouncing  his  judg- 
ments on  all  unbelieving  and  idolatrous  sinners. — 
They  describe  that  day  in  which  we  now  live,  and 
they  are  an  implied  challenge  from  his  holy  throne, 


13 


-ts.     His  prophe- 
)ple  of  whom  he 
him  the  spirit  of 
f  the  world.     In 
there  is  a  denun- 
w  falling  on  those 
not  believed  nor 
r  (saith  the  Lord) 
God  ;  they  have 
niticf  ;  and  I  will 
which  are  not  a 
jer  with  a  foolish 
nine  anger,  and 
hall  consume  the 
1  fire  the  founda- 
)  mischiefs  upon 
ion  them.    They 
3ured  with  burn- 
ion  :    I  will  also 
•annical  powers] 
cuts  of  the  dust, 
in,  shall  destroy 
n,  the  suckling 
rhese  words  are 
h  was  not  pecu- 
but  looked  for- 
the  Lord  for  his 
ncing  his  judg- 
rous  sinners. — 
e  now  live,  and 
his  holy  throne, 


whether  we  will  see  and  give  glory  to  his  governing 
Providence,  or  whether  we  will  tempt  his  Almighty 
arm  by  friendly  alliance  with  the  seat  of  the  beast, 
and  with  the  man  of  sin. 

I      That  the  description  I  read  to  you,  though  written 
at  an  early  day,  looked  forward  to  the  present  time, 
we  learn  from  the  book  of  Revelations.     The  sanie 
prophet,  who  wrote  that  awful  prediction  is  again 
mentioned  in  the  Revelations,  chapter  xv.  as  join- 
ing in  a  heavenly  song,  called  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb,  adoring  God  for  the  execution  of  these 
very  judgments  which  he  had  foretold.     "  Great 
and  marvellous  are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty; 
just  and  true  are  thy  ways,   thou  King  of  saints. 
Who  shall  not  fear  thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify  thy 
nam.e  ?  for  thou  only  art  holy  :  for  all  nations  shall 
worship  before  thpe  :  for  thy  judgments  are  made 
manifest.''      Immediately  after  the  words  of  this 
snng  in  heaven,  it  is  added,  *'  And  I  looked,  and 
behold  the  temple  of  the  tabernacle  of  the  testimony 
in  heaven  was  opened ;   and  the  seven  angels  came 
out  of  the  temple,  having  the  seven  plagues,  clothed 
in  pure  and  white  linen,  and  having  their  breasts 
girded  with  golden  girdles." 

My  Brethren,  look  above  !  Attend  to  the  Provi- 
dence of  God  !  The  temple  of  the  tabernacle  is  there 
opened,  the  angels  having  the  seven  last  plagues 
have  come  out,  and  are  traversing  the  earth.  They 
have  war,  desolations  and  plagues  in  their  hands. 


n 


' 


14 

Do  you  wish  to  draw  near,  and  taste  the  contents  of 
their  vials  ?  We  hope  better  things  of  you  ;  we  be- 
licve  you  are  now  praying  for  that  spirit  of  peace, 
which  is  the  spirit  of  your  Lord's  kingdom  :  And 
when  you  ask  what  shall  Christians  do,  for  your  in- 
fitruction,  we  direct  you  to  your  Lord's  words  in  the 
text :  "  Come  out  of  her,  my  people,  that^e  be  not 
partakers  of  her  sins  and  receive  of  her  plagues."— 
These  words  have  been  a  directory  to  millions  of  i 
Christians  who  lived  before  you,  and  who  are  now 
joining  .above  in  the  triumphant  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb.     They  directed  Christians  what  to  do  at 
the  great  Reformation  from  Popery.    They  directed 
your  forefathers  when  thousands  fled  from  various 
nations  in  Europe,  for  the  peaceful  enjoyment  of  lib- 
erty and  religion  in  the  American  wilderness. 

But  the  time  is  now  come,  for  which  the  spirit  of 
prophecy  more  particularly  designed  this  exhorta- 
tion. It  was  intended  to  direct  Christians  what  they 
should  do,  and  what  their  duty  is,  at  the  very  mo- 
ment when  Babylon  is  falling  ;  in  the  time  of  the 
Vintage  and  harvest  of  the  earth,  (as  it  is  figuratively 
«xp.esscd  in  prophecy  ;)  and  this  vintage  and  har- 
vest are  now  begun.  This  is  the  time  in  which  the 
wine  press  is  trodden,  and  blood  comes  out  of  the 
wine  press  even  unto  the  horses*  bridles,  by  the 
space  of  a  thousand  six  hundred  furlongs. 

What  shall  Christians  do  at  such  a  time  ?  Cer- 
tainly  if  they  have  the  spirit  their  Master  showed 


aste  the  contents  of 
igs  of  you  ;  we  be- 
liat  spirit  of  peace, 
's  kingdom  :  And 
ns  do,  for  your  in- 
jord's  words  in  the 
3ple,  that  ye  be  not 
of  her  plagues." — 
tory  to  millions  of 

and  who  are  now 
long  of  Moses  and 
tians  what  to  do  at 
y.    They  directed 

fled  from  various 
1  enjoyment  of  lib- 
wilderness. 

which  the  spirit  of 
led  this  exhorta- 
iristians  what  they 
,  at  the  very  mo- 
n  the  time  of  the 
IS  it  is  figuratively 
vintage  and  har- 
time  in  which  the 
comes  out  of  the 
*  bridles,  by  the 
arlongs. 

ich  a  time  ?  Cer- 
r  Master  showed 


15 

when  here  on  earth  ;  they  will,  if  possible,  stand  at 
/a  distance,  and  adore  a  righteous  God  in  the  execu. 
\tion  of  his  vengeance.     To  stand  for  their  lives  in 
case  of  defensive  war,  they  wiU  think  lawful  and 
honourable  ;  but  offensive  war,  they  will  know  to 
be  an  invasion  of  his  rights' who  is  the  avenger  of 
blood  in  the  earth.    This  work  may  do  for  infidels, 
for  God  hath  permitted  and  raised  them  up  for  the 
very  purpose  of  punishing  the  world.    This  work 
is  congenial  to  the  temper  of  those  who  feel  not  the 
power  of  the  Gospel ;  who  deal  in  slaves  and  the 
souls  of  men  j  who  bear  the  marks  of  the  beast  both 
in  their  principles,  and  in  that  forehead  of  assurance 
with  which  they  can  cry  freedom  and  rights,  while 
they  hate  those  principles  of  freedom  and  religion  for 
which  our  Christian  forefathers  bled. 


I 


But  the  question  returns  with  irresistible  force. 
What  shall  Christians  do  at  such  a  time  ?— Take, 
my  Brethren,  the  direction  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
Spirit  of  your  Lord,  C&me  out  of  her,  that  ye  receive 
not  of  her  plagues. 

It  is  next  incumbent  on  me  to  mention  a  few 
things,  that  are  implied  in  the  exhortation,  •»  Come 
out  of  her." 

But,  first,  the  body  ought  to  be  defined. 

It  is  a  very  difficult  thing,  by  any  local  limits,  to 
define  that  body  from  whkjh  Christians  are  to  scpa- 


'(  h 


16 

rate  themselves.  It  is  a  body  to  be  described  by 
principles,  or  rather  the  want  of  principles,  than  by 
any  local  limits  whatever.  The  prophet  John  de. 
scribes  this  body  by  the  following  name,  Mystery, 
Babylon  the  Great,  the  Mother  of  Har- 
lots   AND  ABOMINATIONS    OF    THeEartH.      In 

another  place  it  is  called  the  Mystery  of  Ink^ui- 
TY.     It  is  iniquity  so  complicated,  so  deceitful,  so 
destitute  of  all  moral  principle,  that  an  honest  mind 
cannot  conceive  it  until  known  by  its  effects.     Lan- 
guage cannot  furnish  any  suitable  name  for  it  but 
Mystery.     The  seat  of  this  body  is  doubtless  in 
ancient  Europe,  and  in  those  states  where  Romish 
idolatry,  in  its  consummation,  hath  passed  into  infi- 
delity ;  infidelity,  armed  with  more  deceitful  arts, 
and  dreadful  powers  of  oppression,  than  a  sin-aven' 
ging  God  ever  permitted  to  arise  on  earth  before. 

But  we  may  find  many  branches  of  this  body  with- 
out  the  limits  of  Europe.     They  may  be  found  in 
Goa  of  Asia,  and  in  Brazil  of  America,  where  the 
Inquisition  reigns,      l^hey  may  be  found  in  every 
State,  where  the  unalienable  rights  of  any  intelligent 
creature  in  the  family  of  God  are  denied,  and  slavery 
is  supported  by  law  ;  they  may  be  found  where  infi- 
dels,  by  common  suffrage,  are  raised  to  be  rulers, 
and  the  outrages  of  bloody  war  are  preferred  to  the 
amities  of  peace.—The  body  of  this  beast  is  known, 
on  the  land,  by  its  blood  stained  path,  and  the  depri- 
ration  of  all  civil  rights  ;  and  on  the  ocean,  by  the 
flames  which  many  waters  do  not  quench. 


^ 


)  be  described  by 
principles,  than  by 
prophet  John  de. 
name,  Mystery, 

OTHER    OF    HaR- 

FHE  Earth.     In 

TERY  OF  lNiq_UI. 

i,  SO  deceitful,  so 
it  an  honest  mind 
its  effects.  Lan- 
i  name  for  it  but 
iy  is  doubtless  in 
s  where  Romish 
passed  into  infi- 
*e  deceitful  arts, 
,  than  a  sin-aven- 
n  earth  before. 

)fthisbody  with- 
may  be  found  in 
srica,  where  the 
e  found  in  every 
)f  any  intelligent 
tiied,  and  slavery 
bund  where  infi- 
ied  to  be  rulers, 
preferred  to  the 
beast  is  known, 
1,  and  the  depri- 
e  ocean,  by  the 
ench. 


17 

How  shall  Christians  come  out  of  this  body  ? 
First  of  all  they  must  renounce  its  principles.     Its 
principles  which  began  in  superstition  and  idolatry, 
are  now  matured  into  infidelity.     That  it  may  con- 
found common  sense  and  common  honesty,  some 
degree  of  which  are  found  even  in  the  breasts  of 
savages,  it  hath  adopted  the  motto,  "  It  is  right  to 
do  evil  that  good  may  come  ;  the  end  justifies  the 
means,''     Of  such  the  apostle  Paul  said,  "  their 
damnation  is  just,''     It  is  not  strange  that  the  apos- 
tle said  this,  for  the  apostle  was  a  Christian  ;  but 
these  are  of  Anti-christ.     These  principles  of  infi- 
delity, adopted  into  the  policy  of  nations,  within 
the  last  twenty  years,  have  reduced  the  fairest  por- 
tions of  earth  to  the  deepest  slavery ;  stained  many 
kingdoms  with  blood ;    and  slain,  either  directly 
in  war,  or  by  its  consequences,  more  than  twenty 
millions  of  mankind.    It  is  these  principles  which 
have  travelled  from  court  to  court,  and  in  too  many 
nations  corrupted  armies,  palaces  and  sanctuaries. 
The  word  of  God  tells  us  of  those,  who  sell  them-' 
selves  to  work  evil ;  and  we  may  always  depend,  if 
men  will   sell  themselves,  Babylon  will  find  the 
price. 

To  corr^ply  with  the  exhortation.  Christians  must 
refrain  from  all  alliances  v/i&  'his  Babylon,  whether 
they  may  be  under  the  name  oi  policy  or  religion. 

i      The  danger  of  all  such  intercourse  and  alliance  is 
wonderfully  represented  for  our  warning,  by  the 


IS 


if 


im 


!■ 


A 


i ' 


if  ,, 


I 


■> 


'I- 
N 

i   ! 


Il  i 


i; 


Apocalyptic  prophet :  "  An4  I  saw  three  uncjc an 
spirits  like  frogs,  come  ou^  of  the  mouOi  of  %U 
dragon,  and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  beast,  and  q^ 
of  the  mouth  of  the  false  prophet ;  for  they  are  the 
spirits  of  deviJs,  working  miracles,  which  go  forth 
to  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  the  whole  world.'?--? 
Poubtless  the  purpose  fo;r  vyhich  they  go  forth  is  to 
spread  their  principles,  and  entice  men  into  corrupt 
alliances. But  mark,  my  Brethren  !  The  proph- 
et tells  us  the  consequences  of  such  alliances.  They 
gather  men  together  to  the  battle  of  the  great  day  of 
GOD  ALMIGHTY.  And  who  can  be  willing  to 
meet  Almighty  Gpd  in  the  day  of  hjs  wrath  1 

Permit  me  to  observe  ^jgain  ;— In  the  enumera- 
tion  of  these  articles  in  which  Babylon  deals,  wc 
find  slaves  and  the  souls  of  men.  Servitude  of  the 
}io(ly  to  earthly  masters,  an|d  of  the  spul  ynto  Satan. 
It  can  never  be  safe  to  depend  on  the  integrity  of 
those  who  deal  in  thpse  artic|ps,  which  are  forbidden 
by  the  ^jQrd  of  God. 

Christians,  you  ipust  part  with  all  your  sins,  and 
live  according  to  the  holy  laws  of  Christ.  You  musj 
purify  your  own  lives,  and  cleanse  from  all  impiety, 
the  households  God  hath  comniitted  to  your  charge. 
Remember,  that  trwp  huiniliation  will  always  be  at- 
tended with  amendment.  While  we  attempt  to 
mourn  before  God,  for  our  sins,  let  us  beg  the  bles- 
sing of  his  Spirit  tp  make  us  sincere.  It  is  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  l^ord,  that  ynen  are  enabled  to  under- 


i!   •    I 


'.I  » 


■^.1 


■'^^IV 


saw  three  uncjc an 
the  month  of  th^ 
the  beast,  and  q^ 
t;  for  they  are  th« 
es,  which  go  forth 
e  whole  world. '~ 
they  gp  forth  is  to 
e  men  into  corrupt 
iiren !  The  proph- 
:h  alliances.  They 
of  the  great  day  of 
o  can  be  willing  to 
f  his  wrath  1 


19 

stand  his  word,  to  search  themselves  and  see  the 
vileness  of  their  own  sins.  If  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
be  wholly  withdrawn,  we  shall  give  ourselves  up  to 
work  iniquity,  even  such  iniquity  as  must  prove  our 
ruin,  both  for  time  and  eternity.  God  hath  said, 
when  the  enemy  of  his  Son's  kingdom  come  in  as  a 
flood,  his  Spirit  shall  set  up  a  standard  against  them. 
Above  all  other  blessings,  let  us  pray  for  an  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit, 

AMEN. 


—In  the  enumera- 
Jabylon  deals,  we 
ScryitMde  of  the 
le  spul  unto  Satan. 
)n  the  integrity  of 
hich  are  forbidden 


i  all  your  sins,  and 
Christ.  Youmusj: 
e  from  all  impiety, 
ed  to  your  charge, 
will  always  be  at- 
le  we  attempt  to 
:t  us  beg  the  bles- 
cere.  It  is  by  the 
enabled  tQ  under- 


